THE FOLLOWING ARE OUR COLLECTIVE DEMANDS & EXPECTATIONS

(developed through years of meetings, organizing, and neighborhood dialogue)

1. Advance the Renovation Process

• File the Notice to Proceed immediately so that the $10.2 million already allocated through Rebuild and the Capital Budget can be released and the renovation of the existing library can begin without further delay.

• Go on record opposing any demolition of the Cecil B. Moore Library (Young has already committed to taking demolition off the table when interacting with a constituent on social media). The branch must be preserved and improved—not replaced by mixed-use or private development.

• Establish or approve a temporary satellite site Save the Cecil B Moore Library Coalition identifies for the library during the renovation period to ensure uninterrupted access to literacy, technology, and community resources for North Philadelphia residents.

2. Ensure Transparency and Communication

• Publish a full project timeline outlining all stages of design, construction, and completion, with quarterly public updates.

• Co-Maintain  an open and collaborative digital dashboard in coordination with the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition and the Free Library of Philadelphia that tracks construction updates and progress milestones so that the the community and general public stay up to date.

3. Co-Create a Neighbor-Led Community Advisory Committee

• Co-create a Community Advisory Committee that is neighbor-led and developed in partnership with the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition. Membership must be formed through a transparent and participatory process—similar to jury selection—to ensure a fair, representative group of neighbors.

• Establish clear guidelines for adding or rotating members, ensuring long-term accountability and community representation.

• Empower the Advisory Committee to guide renovation decisions, monitor transparency, and shape future programming.

• Collaborate with the Advisory Committee to identify and secure additional funding from city, state, philanthropic, and private sources, with the community determining where funds should come from and how they should be used.

4. Support Community-Led Engagement

• Affirm that all community townhalls and listening sessions related to the library post signed Notice to Proceed will be convened by The Community Advisory Committee, who will create the agenda and call on experts and guests, including the Councilman

• Commit to attending these sessions regularly to listen to residents, answer questions, and report directly on progress from City Hall.

5. Broaden the Citywide Conversation

• Partner with Councilperson Anthony Phillips, Friends of The Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Save the Cecil B Moore Library Coalition to lead a citywide initiative ensuring that every Philadelphia neighborhood—especially historically disinvested areas—receives equitable investment in library infrastructure, staffing, and neighbor-led programming.

• Work jointly with Councilperson Phillips and fellow Councilmembers to expand REBUILD program transparency, protect library capital funds from diversion, and establish a permanent, equitable funding framework for library maintenance and modernization citywide.

As neighbors and organizers of the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition, we want Councilman Jeffery Young Jr. to work in full partnership with us to protect, restore, and strengthen this vital public space.